The preeminent tome on the craft of illustration

Finally. The quest for this book has been a long journey, so when it arrived in the mail, it was a happy, happy day. I purchased my first book by Andrew Loomis about 20 years ago: Figure Drawing for All It’s Worth. It looked interesting and I was trying improve my figure drawing skills. It was much more than I expected and remains my go-to resource for figures, proportion and perspective. After that I read everything I could get my hands on written by Loomis, all of which were via the library, since most of his books have been out of print for quite some time. Periodically I would search bookstores and online for anything Loomis. The best I was able to find were a few booklets on drawing hands, heads, etc. Most of those were excerpts from Loomis’ larger works and left me wanting more. Someone sent me an online pdf excerpt from Creative Illustration. Owning my own copy became an obsession. The best I could find were a few used, first editions at various bookstores around the country, the least of which listed for about $400. Wish listed.

Then one day while ordering college textbooks for my daughter, I half-heartedly searched again, expecting the usual No Results Found. There it was; available, resurrected and reprinted by a British publisher, Titan Books, with permission from The Estate of Andrew Loomis, complete with the original 1947 cover. Add to cart!

Most illustrators I know are generous about sharing their experience and techniques. Loomis is the epitome of benevolence and talent. All of the illustrations in the book are his, and they are a goldmine of inspiration. But more valuable are his essays and instruction. They are not to be skimmed over. The design principles are timeless.

It won’t be long before crisp pages will be worn and smudged. (There’s already a sticky note poking out of the top.) This book won’t be just a possession, but a working companion. Another bonus? A note inside the book jacket states “Coming soon from Titan Books — Fun With a Pencil,”  another Loomis treasure. Wait listed.

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